Auburn University has just been awarded a $50 million grant – the largest in the school’s history – to help the future of the U.S. Army’s aviation and missile systems.

The three-year project will help the army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center modernize, according to the school.

Auburn’s Applied Research Institute (AUARI) in Huntsville, its National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME), and the Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems (ICAMS) will be involved in the effort.

Robert Dowling, AUARI director of research development, said the project will help the Army incorporate advanced manufacturing materials and methods into existing and future aviation and missile systems. That includes using alloys, polymers and composites, as well as additive manufacturing, or 3-D printing. Those techniques will be transferable to other government manufacturing projects, he said.

“A lot of effort has gone into developing this opportunity. We’re excited to get to work,” he said.

Dowling also calls the project tailor-made for fulfilling one of the AUARI administration’s stated goals — creating a pipeline between Huntsville’s defense sector and Auburn University’s main campus.

“With this award, we’ve demonstrated the significant opportunities that can be created for faculty and students when we combine our core research expertise with customer proximity and knowledge,” he said.